Jewells of Thought

Back in the month of May I was sweetly asked to work on a project for Grandma. Aunt Martha knows how I like to work with my hands, but more importantly I have a Cri-Cut cutter and sometimes a creative nature to work with my various art skills and tools. It was an honor and a challenge. Was I up to the challenge? I had already agreed though, I questioned my confidence in myself in the days and weeks after accepting this task!

Unfortunately May was the beginning of summertime and that very quickly meant kids time. Too many irons in the fire became a problem and I felt the stress to be in different modes for different people. I figured this project would end up being a birthday present but wasn’t certain and I knew the present time may be all I would get with my niece at that moment in time. It was a hard call and yet it saved me from making costly mistakes in the long run. Plus Selena needed me and Mom to be in the moment for her as much as possible especially when she brought the whole community over with her.

This year has been quite an experience for me. May is when I made the decision to attend church with Grandma and I have never regretted that beautiful decision. Seeing Grandma smile and being able to sit with her during the service has been like coming home for me. In all of my years I have only been a visitor to this church, but they know me and my family really well. I have been in the choir for special services namely, Mother’s Day or Homecoming. We have proof in the form of photography as well as my memory. I am inextricably tied to this church’s roots and the church family. It’s a wonderful feeling to have; roots that are 200 years plus in one special church.

Yesterday was Grandma Betty’s 98th Birthday. It has been my prayer that I could make her year somehow better by being there with her at church. I know she has enjoyed it but being with her has been extremely special for me just as much. It doesn’t hurt to be performing music once again and feeling like I have my groove back. Hearing her sing beside me with the congregational singing has been nice too. A while ago she had to step away from the choir because she had troubles with her throat and singing. I can hear her keep pace with the harmony once again.

This week has been pedal to the medal on that Album for her though. I only got a handful of pages finished this weekend and wanted to get more done before Thursday morning. I didn’t get as many more pages finished in time so I am trying to work on it for Sunday. I have gotten 4 more done since last night. Getting the reaction from my Aunts last night was a nice balm for my soul; I still get nervous presenting even a partially finished Album. They loved what I had done though and I needed that encouragement. My grandparents were and still are quite photogenic. There are so many amazing photos and I have had fun putting together the various pages.

Including my Grandpa’s ‘Gangster Photo’, and Grandma’s Graduation Photo.’ Plus I believe this is their first High School ‘Couple Photo.’ I have been told by my boyfriend as well as Mom, that I look a lot like the photo of Grandma right there before the Couple Photo in that 4 photo strip!

This Album has been my priority this week. I have not even touched my cross-stitch to even take a break. There have been some little errands to get more of this or that though which have sort of given me a break. Grandma even used the words “going down memory lane” yesterday while looking at the Album.

Our family has been incredibly blessed to have this woman be our Matriarch. Together Grandpa and Grandma created 6 kids which then produced 16 grandchildren and has in turn created another 16 great-grandchildren. Those numbers will still continue to grow either through grandchildren or great-grandchildren since not everyone has possibly had the last grandchild yet! Plus the great-grandchildren will surprise us over the years to come.